Press Release: Norton Announces Resolution Designating Mary Church Terrell Day

News Release — DC Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton

September 24, 2019

Contact: Jack Miller

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that she has introduced a resolution that would designate September 23rd as “Mary Church Terrell Day,” recognizing her lasting contributions to the civil rights and women’s rights movements.  Born to formerly enslaved parents, Terrell was one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree and later taught in the District of Columbia’s M Street Colored High School, known now as Dunbar High School.  She led campaigns across the District to desegregate restaurants, actively fought for women’s suffrage, and was a founding member of the NAACP.

“Mary Church Terrell, the pioneering voice for African Americans and women across this nation, called the District home,” Norton said.  “She used her position to fight racial and gender discrimination in this city and elsewhere alongside our strongest activists like Ida B. Wells-Barnett.  Too often women are swept behind the scenes despite their groundbreaking work.  We will not let that be the case with March Church Terrell.  It is time the Congress celebrate this American hero and designate a national day to recognize her as such.”